Two-stage balancer for multi-lamp backlight

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a two-stage balancer for a multi-lamp backlight, and more particularly to a two-stage balancer for providing much better current balance between parallel circuit loops to maintain uniform brightness of the multi-lamp backlight.

2. Description of Prior Art

In recent years, TFT-LCD has been widely used in different applications with progress of the TFT-LCD display technology, and more particularly in desktop personal computers and multi-media TVs. In order to achieve high-brightness performance for the large-size TFT-LCD applications, the amount of lamps required for a multi-lamp backlight is large. The amount of current flowed through the lamps in parallel is influenced by the impedance between the lamps. Hence, relative brightness of the lamp driven with smaller current is darker; on the contrary, relative brightness of the lamp driven with larger current is lighter to influence uniform brightness of the multi-lamp backlight. Furthermore, the unbalanced current flowed through the lamps will reduce the lifetime of the lamps and the multi-lamp backlight. Hence, it is important to balance the amount of current flowed through the lamps.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,242,147 disclosed a current sharing scheme for a multiple CCF lamp operation. The current sharing scheme includes a plurality of balancing transformers to facilitate current sharing in a multi-lamp backlight system. Reference is made to FIG. 1 which is a circuit block diagram of a prior art current sharing scheme. The current sharing scheme includes a first transformer group 706 , a second transformer group 710 , and a lighting apparatus group 708 . The first transformer group 706 has a plurality of first balancing transformers 706 _ 1 ˜ 706 — k , the second transformer group 710 has a plurality of second balancing transformers 710 _ 1 ˜ 710 — k , and the lighting apparatus group 708 has a plurality of lighting apparatuses 708 _ 1 ˜ 708 — k . The first transformer group 706 is electrically connected to the second transformer group 710 for forming a ring connection. The lighting apparatuses 708 _ 1 ˜ 708 — k are electrically connected between the first balancing transformers 706 _ 1 ˜ 706 — k and the second balancing transformers 710 _ 1 ˜ 710 — k , respectively. Each of the first balancing transformers 706 _ 1 ˜ 706 — k has a primary winding and a secondary winding, and each of the second balancing transformers 710 _ 1 ˜ 710 — k has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The respective secondary windings of the first balancing transformers 706 _ 1 ˜ 706 — k are in series coupled together in a closed loop. Also, the respectively secondary windings of the second balancing transformers 710 _ 1 ˜ 710 — k are in series coupled together in a closed loop. Each of the primary windings of the first balancing transformers 706 _ 1 ˜ 706 — k is electrically connected to a first terminal of the corresponding lighting apparatuses 708 _ 1 ˜ 708 — k . Also, each of the primary windings of the second balancing transformers 710 _ 1 ˜ 710 — k is electrically connected to a second terminal of the corresponding lighting apparatuses 708 _ 1 ˜ 708 — k.

However, each of the lighting apparatuses 708 _ 1 ˜ 708 — k is connected in series between one first balancing transformer 706 _ 1 ˜ 706 — k and one second balancing transformer 710 _ 1 ˜ 710 — k . Hence, distortions on the current waveform of the lighting apparatuses 708 _ 1 ˜ 708 — k are largely caused when any one of the first balancing transformers 706 _ 1 ˜ 706 — k or the second balancing transformers 710 _ 1 ˜ 710 — k is unbalanced. Because each of the lighting apparatuses 708 _ 1 ˜ 708 — k needs to match one first balancing transformers 706 _ 1 ˜ 706 — k and one second balancing transformers 710 _ 1 ˜ 710 — k , the use amount of magnetic components is large to make a higher cost.

Accordingly, a two-stage balancer for a multi-lamp backlight is provided to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages.

In order to achieve the objective mentioned above, the present invention provides a two-stage balancer for a multi-lamp backlight, and the two-stage balancer includes a first balancing transformer group, a second balancing transformer group, and a lighting unit group.

The first balancing transformer group includes a plurality of first balancing transformers, and each of the first balancing transformers has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The secondary windings of the first balancing transformers are coupled in series in a closed loop. The second balancing transformer group includes a plurality of second balancing transformers, and each of the second balancing transformers has a primary winding and a secondary winding. A second terminal of the primary winding of each second balancing transformer is electrically connected to a first terminal of the secondary winding of each second balancing transformer to form a common node. Also, the common node is electrically connected to a second terminal of the primary winding of the corresponding first balancing transformer. The lighting unit group includes a plurality of lighting units. A first terminal of the primary winding of each second balancing transformer is electrically connected to a first terminal of the lighting unit, and a second terminal of the secondary winding of each second balancing transformer is electrically connected to a first terminal of each lighting unit. Hence, each of the second balancing transformers is electrically connected to two lighting units.

A first terminal of the primary winding of each first balancing transformer is electrically connected to a first terminal of a secondary winding of a driving transformer. Also, a second terminal of the lighting unit is electrically connected to a second terminal of the secondary winding of the driving transformer. Whereby each of the second balancing transformers is electrically connected in series to one corresponding first balancing transformers and two corresponding lighting units to form a plurality of circuit loops, and further each of the circuit loops is electrically connected in parallel.

Accordingly, the driving unit provides a driving voltage. Afterward, the driving voltage is amplified by the driving transformer to supply a high enough trigger voltage to start up the lighting units. In addition, the two-stage balancer provides much better current balance between the parallel circuit loops, and outputs a sinusoid-like driving current to increase lighting efficacy and further maintain uniform brightness of the multi-lamp backlight.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, drawings and claims.

The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, which describes an exemplary embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a prior art current sharing scheme;

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of a first embodiment of a two-stage balancer for a multi-lamp backlight according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a second embodiment of the two-stage balancer for the multi-lamp backlight; and

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a third embodiment of the two-stage balancer for the multi-lamp backlight.

In cooperation with attached drawings, the technical contents and detailed description of the present invention are described thereinafter according to a preferable embodiment, being not used to limit its executing scope. Any equivalent variation and modification made according to appended claims is all covered by the claims claimed by the present invention.

Reference will now be made to the drawing figures to describe the present invention in detail. Reference is made to FIG. 2 which is a circuit block diagram of a first embodiment of a two-stage balancer for a multi-lamp backlight according to the present invention. The two-stage balancer is electrically connected to a driving unit 10 through a driving transformer 12 . The driving unit 10 has a primary winding Pt and a secondary winding St. The two-stage balancer includes a first balancing transformer group 20 , a second balancing transformer group 22 , and a lighting unit group 24 .

The first balancing transformer group 20 includes a plurality of first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n , and the first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n are identical. Each of the first balancing transformers has a primary winding P 11 ˜P 1n and a secondary winding S 11 ˜S 1n . The respective secondary windings S 11 ˜S 1n of the first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n are coupled in series in a closed loop. The second balancing transformer group 22 includes a plurality of second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n , and the second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n are identical. Each of the second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 is a two-winding transformer. A second terminal of the primary winding P 21 ˜P 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is electrically connected to a first terminal of the secondary winding S 21 ˜S 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n to form a common node C 11 ˜C 1n . Also, the common node C 11 ˜C 1n is electrically connected to a second terminal of the primary winding P 11 ˜P 1n of each first balancing transformer 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n . The amount of the first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n is equal to the amount of the second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n.

The lighting unit group 24 includes a plurality of lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n , and the lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n are identical. The lighting unit 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or a light emitting diode (LED). A first terminal of the primary winding P 21 ˜P 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n and a second terminal of the secondary winding S 21 ˜S 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n are electrically connected to a first terminal of each lighting unit 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n , respectively. Hence, each of the second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is electrically connected to two lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n . That is to say, one first balancing transformer 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n , one second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n , and two lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n are connected in series in a circuit loop. Accordingly, the secondary winding S 21 of the second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 and the primary winding P 21 of the second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 are electrically connected in series to the first one lighting unit 24 _ 1 and the second one lighting unit 24 _ 2 , respectively. Furthermore, the remaining first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n , the remaining second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n , and the remaining lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n are electrically connected in analogous ways. Finally, the second terminal of the primary winding P 2n of the last second balancing transformer 22 — n is electrically connected to the first terminal of the secondary winding S 2n of the second balancing transformer 22 — n to form the common node C 1n . The common node C 1n is electrically connected to the second terminal of the primary winding P 1n of the first balancing transformer 20 — n . In addition, the first terminals of the last two lighting units 24 _ 2 n - 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n are electrically connected to the second terminal of the secondary winding S 2n of the second balancing transformer 22 — n and the first terminal of the primary winding S 2n of the second balancing transformer 22 — n , respectively.

A first terminal of the primary winding P 11 ˜P 1n of each first balancing transformer 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n is electrically connected to a first terminal of the secondary winding S t of the driving transformer 12 . Also, a second terminal of each 24_ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n is electrically connected to a second terminal of the secondary winding S t of the driving transformer 12 . Hence, each of the second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is electrically connected in series to one corresponding first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n and two corresponding lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n to form a plurality of circuit loops, and further each of the circuit loops is electrically connected in parallel. Therefore, the two-stage balancer is electrically connected to the driving transformer 12 and the driving unit 10 . In this embodiment, the first terminal of the primary winding P 11 ˜P 1n of each first balancing transformer 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n is a dot terminal, and the second terminal of the primary winding P 11 ˜P 1n of each first balancing transformer 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n is a non-dot terminal. In addition, the first terminal of the primary winding P 21 ˜P 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is a dot terminal, and first terminal of the secondary winding S 21 ˜S 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is a dot terminal. Also, the second terminal of the primary winding P 21 ˜P 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is a non-dot terminal, and second terminal of the secondary winding S 21 ˜S 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is a non-dot terminal. Hence, a correct-polarity connection between the first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n and the second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n to make the two-stage balancer work correctly.

The driving unit 10 is electrically connected to the primary winding P t of the driving transformer 12 to provide a driving voltage. Afterward, the driving voltage is amplified by the driving transformer to supply a high enough trigger voltage to start up the lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n . In addition, the two-stage balancer provides much better current balance between the parallel circuit loops, and outputs a sinusoid-like driving current to increase lighting efficacy and further maintain uniform brightness of the multi-lamp backlight.

Reference is made to FIG. 3 which is a circuit block diagram of a second embodiment of the two-stage balancer for the multi-lamp backlight. The significant difference between this and first embodiment (shown in FIG. 2 ) is to change the serial sequence among the first balancing transformer 20 , the second balancing transformer 22 , and the lighting units 24 . Functionally, the connection relationship of the above-mentioned first embodiment is equivalent to the connection relationship of the second embodiment. Therefore, the use of either embodiment is based on practical layout (pin connections of the multi-lamp backlight) of the lighting unit group 24 . Hence, the second terminals of each two lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n are electrically connect together to form a common node C 21 ˜C 2n . Also, the common node C 21 ˜C 2n is electrically connected to the first terminal of the primary winding P 11 ˜P 1n of each first balancing transformer 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n . In addition, the remaining first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n , the remaining second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n , and the remaining lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n are electrically connected in ways analogous to the first embodiment, therefore, the detailed description is omitted here for conciseness. Hence, each of the second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is electrically connected in series to one corresponding first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n and two corresponding lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 2 n to form a plurality of circuit loops, and each of the circuit loops is further electrically connected in parallel. Therefore, the two-stage balancer is electrically connected to the driving transformer 12 and the driving unit 10 .

Reference is made to FIG. 4 which is a circuit block diagram of a third embodiment of the two-stage balancer for the multi-lamp backlight. Each of the second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is a multi-winding transformer. Namely, the second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is an at-least-three-winding transformer, such as a three-winding or a four-winding transformer. In this embodiment, the second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is a three-winding transformer. A first terminal (not labeled) of a primary winding P 21 ˜P 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n , a first terminal (not labeled) of a secondary winding S 21 ˜S 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n , and a first terminal (not labeled) of a tertiary winding T 21 ˜T 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n are electrically connected to each other to form a common node C 11 ˜C 1n . The common node C 11 ˜C 1n is electrically connected to a second terminal of a primary winding P 11 ˜P 1n of the corresponding first balancing transformer 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n . In addition, a second terminal (not labeled) of a primary winding P 21 ˜P 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n , a second terminal (not labeled) of a secondary winding S 21 ˜S 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n , and a second terminal (not labeled) of a tertiary winding T 21 ˜T 2n of each second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n are electrically connected to a first terminal of the lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 3 n , respectively. Hence, each of the second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is electrically connected to three lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 3 n . That is to say, the second terminal of the secondary winding S 21 , the second terminal of the first winding P 21 , and the second terminal of the tertiary winding T 21 of the second balancing transformer 22 _ 1 are electrically connected to the first one lighting unit 24 _ 1 , the second one lighting unit 24 _ 2 , and the third lighting unit 24 _ 3 , respectively. Furthermore, the remaining first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n , the remaining second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n , and the remaining lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 3 n are electrically connected in analogous ways. Finally, the second terminal of the primary winding P 2n of the last second balancing transformer 22 — n is electrically connected to the first terminal of the secondary winding S 2n of the second balancing transformer 22 — n and the third terminal of the tertiary winding T 21 of the second balancing transformer 22 — n to form the common node C 1n . The common node C 1n is electrically connected to the second terminal of the primary winding P 1n of the first balancing transformer 20 — n . In addition, the first terminals of the last three lighting units 24 —3 n - 2 ˜ 24 _ 3 n are electrically connected to the second terminal of the secondary winding S 2n of the second balancing transformer 22 — n , the second terminal of the primary winding S 2n of the second balancing transformer 22 — n , and the second terminal of the tertiary winding T 21 of the second balancing transformer 22 — n , respectively. In addition, the remaining first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n the remaining second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n , and the remaining lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 3 n are electrically connected in ways analogous to the first embodiment, therefore, the detailed description is omitted here for conciseness. Hence, each of the second balancing transformers 22 _ 1 ˜ 22 — n is electrically connected in series to one corresponding first balancing transformers 20 _ 1 ˜ 20 — n and three corresponding lighting units 24 _ 1 ˜ 24 _ 3 n to form a plurality of circuit loops, and further each of the circuit loops is electrically connected in parallel. Therefore, the two-stage balancer is electrically connected to the driving transformer 12 and the driving unit 10 .

In conclusion, the two-stage balancer of the present invention has the following advantages. The two-stage balancer provides much better current balance between the parallel circuit loops, and outputs a sinusoid-like driving current to reduce the current ripple, increase lighting efficacy and further maintain uniform brightness of the multi-lamp backlight.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.